Martin Luther's son has a problem. What should young Hans Luther do when he grows up? How can he ever do anything important when he is constantly overshadowed by his famous father? Gradually he discovers who he is and how God wants him to live.Through Hans' eyes 9-to-14 year olds will learn to know Martin Luther not only as the great Reformer-preacher, but also as a father with a sense of humor and as a friend.
Erasmus laid the egg that Luther hatched, is what the people said. And that made Gerhard Koestler smile. He knew that Erasmus had influenced Luther's thinking. He also believed both men were trying to serve God according to the Scriptures. Gerhard lived in Germany in the 1500s. After a series of adventures and narrow escapes, Gerhard arrived in Basel, Switzerland, where he was able to live in the same house as Erasmus. Although Erasmus' enemies accused him of agreeing with Martin Luther, Erasmus said that the Bible was his guide.
John Wycliffe is a famous Oxford professor, but he has radical ideas and a temper that are get- ting him into trouble. Young Arnold Hutton has troubles of his own. His family is poor and he will have to either go to the fields or work for the abbot who feeds his dogs better than his servants. Arnold wants to be a scholar and decides to run away.
In Oxford, Arnold hears Wycliffe teach and is inspired by Wycliffe's ideas that everyone should be able to read the Bible, even those who can't read Latin. People like Arnold and his family. But Wycliffe's enemies are gathering evidence. They send spies to his lectures and encourage the Ox- ford students to riot in the streets. Will Arnold and his friends be able to convince Wycliffe that he is in danger? Will they be able to save the Bible that has been translated into English?
Join Arnold, Timothy, and Lucy as they un- cover the plot against Wycliffe and help to entrust the holy Bible into the hands of beggars.
Johann Gutenberg is working on printing the first Bible with type. Twelve-year-old Hans Dunne works in Gutenberg's shop as an apprentice printer. Soon, Hans finds himself in the middle of a type-stealing mystery. Will Hans, and the other pressmen be able to keep Herr Fust from getting the type? Will they be able to finish the Bible so many people will be able to read and learn from it? For 9-to-14-year-olds.
Peter Cook has a good life as a bound boy by a master who treats him like a son. Everything changes the day that Peter discovers that his master has died of the black plague and he is thrown out of the great house. Peter soon meets a group of people called Separatists--because they have chosen to separate from the established Church of England. Join young Peter and his friends, as they make the long and dangerous trip across the Atlantic Ocean. There they meet the Native American people whom they called Indians. Peter befriends one of them, Squanto, and celebrates the first Thanksgiving as a Pilgrim.
William Tyndale wants to translate the Bible into English. He feels the common people of sixteenth-century England should be able to read the Scriptures for themselves. The church and government violently disagree with him.
Collin Hartley, an English boy, works with Tyndale on his dangerous project. Tyndale has to flee to Europe for his life. Collin goes along. Tyndale's enemies follow him and try to catch him. But Tyndale manages to complete the translation. Then he has the English-language Bibles printed and smuggles them into England.
Along with Collin Hartley, you will participate in all the important events of this story. For 9- to 14-year olds.
This story is told through the eyes of Bettje and Jan, children of Menno Simons, who lived almost 500 years ago. Menno Simons was first a Catholic priest. As he read and studied the Bible, Menno began to understand the Christian life in a different way. Eventually he became an Anabaptist preacher. It was against the laws of that time for him to preach so Menno's preaching was done in secret at night to small groups. Soon, Menno Simons became the leader of the Anabaptists, now known as Mennonites. For 9-to-14-year-olds.
The Anabaptists are a small group of Christians who believe that everyone is a priest and should be able to study the Bible. They refuse to baptize their babies, and instead baptize adults on a confession of faith in Christ. Because of these heretical acts they are persecuted and sometimes put in prison.
Richard lives in Germany and is caught up with the Anabaptists when his cousin Otto shows up seeking refuge. Richard needs help to hide Otto, but can he trust his friend Trudi? Her father hates the Anabaptists and wants to get rid of the whole movement!
Join Richard as he helps his family, runs from guards, meets the legendary Menno Simons, and decides for himself whether he too wants to join the secret church.
Louise A. Vernon explores the mystery behind the printing of King James Bible in 1611. Who was the secret editor who published the work of 54 different translators and made the Bible sing? Before Nat Culver, a son of a translator, finds out answers to these questions, he is plunged into a series of baffling incidents concerning accusations made against his father. For 9-to-14-year-olds.
Hutterites are known for their natural medicines and living in Bruderhofs. Michael Bruhn, his sister Gudryn, and their widowed mother live in a castle in Moravia. When a doctor wearing ragged clothing heals Gudryn, Michael thinks he, too, must be a Hutterite. Later, Michael learns that this doctor in rags is the famous physican Paracelsus. Michael is impressed and begins to plan when he can also be a doctor. Then tragedy strikes. For 9-to-14-year-olds.
John Wesley is a fiery preacher who is stirring up the people in London. One day, while peddling his father's wares, Robert Upton meets Wesley and his life is changed forever. Robert and his father start going to Wesley's meetings. Gradually, Robert begins to understand what Wesley's preaching is all about. As he allows God to work in his life, Robert finds that his own heart, like Wesley's, is strangely warmed. For 9-to-14-year-olds.
This story takes place in Ulverston, England, about 300 years ago. George Fox, an English religious leader and the founder of the Society of Friends, also called Quakers, lived during that time. Tommy Stafford and his sister, Celia, witness the violence and persecution brought on by the words and ways of Fox. His courage, calmness, and power with God influenced the whole family. For 9-to-14-year-olds.